AN- I was all set to try Charlie's POV, his thoughts are always entertaining. Then it occurred to me that in EPOV we get to hear Edward's reaction to them as well! I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I hope you enjoy.

Shout out to My-Bella, the Cullen Family Movie night is another her fantastic creations. If you haven't read her stories, you're missing out.

Disclaimer- I don't own- The Twilight characters, Alfred Hitchcock, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Doris Day, or pretty much anything that could make me any money.

I do own the image of Edward as an elephant.


Movie Night With Charlie

EPOV

I decided to let Charlie have Bella to himself until after dinner. I know how uncomfortable he is every time I walk through the door. He did not take the announcement of our marriage very well. Bella had no idea how close he had come to actually running me off with his shotgun and locking Bella in her room until Rene could get to Forks to really do some damage.

The truth is, Charlie is an excellent father. He saw the look on Bella's face as he tried to convince her she was too young to get married. He knew that if he pushed the issue, he'd only end up pushing Bella out of his life. So while he didn't approve, he didn't fight it either. At least, not openly, more often than not, his shotgun was still his first thought whenever he heard my knock on the door.

I had decided I needed to have a talk with Charlie. Not directly, of course, Charlie hardly talked with Bella, must less the punk kid trying to steal her from him. But I knew we couldn't return to Forks once Bella was changed. We might get Charlie to come visit us someday, but it would probably take years. I didn't want him to feel any more alienated from Bella than he had too. I thought if perhaps he could feel like he understood me, even if he never liked me, he might feel a little less like Bella had disappeared from his life. Maybe if he knew me, he could feel like he knew where she was, when she was no longer with him.

It was worth a try anyway. So, I had come up with a plan for having a conversation with Charlie without him having to actually talk to me. It was risky at best. It had great potential for turning disastrous. So, I hoped letting him have a peaceful dinner would at least start him out in a good mood.

As I stood outside their door, I could hear Charlie's thoughts.

Wonder what's on tv tonight.

Perfect. I thought. I had checked to make sure there weren't any games on, or my plan would have backfired quickly. I was glad there wasn't another show he was planning on watching. I knocked on the door.

Bella was quick to answer it. Flinging it open with her usual enthusiasm, she smiled brightly at me. "I've missed you!" she whispered, so Charlie wouldn't hear from the kitchen. She knew our affection was hard for him to take.

I leaned down and kissed her softly and briefly on the lips. Then I took her by the hand and led her back into the kitchen. "Good evening, Chief Swan," I said to Charlie. Apparently, dinner with Bella had indeed put him in a somewhat better mood. His shotgun didn't flash into his mind until I actually spoke. I had to make an effort not to smile at the image. I really couldn't blame him.

"'Evening, Edward," he replied. Two words! Bella must have really buttered him up. I was pleasantly surprised, seeing as she had no idea what I was about to do. Where are you off to now? As if I didn't know. . .

I had to keep a smile from my face again. He really didn't know.

"Shall we go?" Bella asked, anxious, as always, to put some distance between me and her father.

"Actually, I was thinking maybe we should stay here tonight," I said, gently squeezing her hand to keep her from panicking.

"Um, why?" she asked, shooting a sidelong glance a Charlie.

His thoughts were similar to hers. What the hell does he think they'll do here? If he thinks I'm letting him up those stairs. . .

Similar, but not quite the same. It was getting harder not to laugh at Charlie's ostentatious thoughts. But I had quite a lot of practice at it.

"Well, we have movie night with my family all the time," I started, "I thought it might be fun to have one with Charlie." I used every ounce of my self control not to start laughing.

Bella and Charlie were staring at me with identical masks of shock, they even had the same touch of horror.

"Would you mind if we used the tv Charlie? Or is there something on you wanted to watch?" I asked

Charlie fixed his face before Bella could turn and see it. Is this kid serious? "Uh, no, I guess that would be fine. If you two really want to stay here." He looked at Bella as he finished speaking.

Bella had also fixed her face. Now it was a mask of practiced excitement, "Sure, Dad, movie night sounds like fun!" She looked back at me, her eyes questioning my sanity.

We made our way to the front room and I sat on the sofa, so Bella could sit next to me. I could tell she was still suspicious of what I might be planning. Charlie was also suspicious of the couch, but for different reasons entirely.

"Suspense okay for everyone?" I asked.

"Sure," Charlie said, but his mind was doubtful.

"What movie did you bring?" Bella asked, taking it from me to put it in.

"The Man Who Knew Too Much," I responded.

Bella smiled, Charlie loved Hitchcock. At least he's got decent taste in movies, Charlie thought, Jake would have brought one of those slasher flicks, I'm sure.

I flinched inwardly as Charlie thought the name. He usually compared me to Jake in some way or another at least once anytime Bella and I spend time with him. It was still hard to hear. At least this time I was the better in the scenario. Other than my concern for her safety, Jake was clearly Charlie's preference. His thought encouraged me that my idea might actually work.

The movie started and I put my arm around Bella. I was determined to make this as normal a movie night as possible. She looked at me in surprise, generally she would only let me hold her hand in front of Charlie. I smiled at her, lifting her left hand and kissing it just to the side of her ring. He knows we're getting married, Bella, we need to move past hand holding, I thought to her. She couldn't read my mind, but she got the message. She rolled her eyes and let it go. I was glad she couldn't see Charlie loading his shotgun in his head again.

I quickly ran through my list of carefully planned 'spontaneous' comments about the movie. I had spent a long time trying to find the right words to tell Charlie how I felt.

As Doris Day began to sing "Que Sera Sera", I cemented my resolve, took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

"I think my mother used to sing to me when I was that age." Bella's head snapped around, her eyes wide with shock. Her jaw even dropped a little. Charlie's response was similar, but a little more understated. While his face showed no sign of even hearing me, he thought What the hell did he just say?

I went on as if they hadn't responded at all, "I don't really remember, but Esme says that's probably where I get my music from." Bella's mouth was still hanging open. I let go of her hand momentarily to gently close it. I winked at her without moving my head. She still looked utterly bewildered, but looked back at the tv screen.

My comment was meant to remind Charlie that I was adopted, and would therefore cherish family bonds and stability. That's right! He's adopted. He acts so much like Carlisle, and their eyes are so similar. I often forget. He's lucky he ended up with the family he did.

Close enough, I thought. At least he heard it and isn't still wondering why I'm talking at all.

When Louis Bernard was murdered in the market place, Bella turned her face into my shoulder, hiding her eyes. Instinctively, I stroked her hair and kissed her head. She turned back to the movie, but kept her head on my shoulder. I smiled.

Charlie was simultaneously throwing me out the front door in his mind and touched by they way I automatically comforted Bella. I decided it was a positive reaction.

Later, the McKennas find their son has been kidnapped. "I can't even imagine the horror of losing a child." I commented. This comment was intended to let Charlie know I was aware of his sacrifice in letting Bella come away with me.

Bella looked at me in shock again, but this time she only moved her eyes.

Damn right you have no idea, Taking my baby away from me, At least he knows he's clueless.

Close enough, I thought again.

While watching the devastated couple trying desperately to act normal in front of their friends, I said, "It's amazing what people are capable of, when they're protecting their family."

Damn straight. Charlie thought.

I squeezed Bella's shoulder and kissed the top of her head again to show Charlie I meant Bella when I said family.

Not yet she's not, he thought, Not until she actually says, I do.

Close enough, I tried to keep my smile at an acceptable size.

Throughout the movie, Bella continued to jump, cringe and flinch at all the expected places. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. By the end, I had both my arms around her. Her head and hands were resting on my chest. Charlie had reacted every time Bella did, but his reactions were to Bella, not to the movie. However, they tamed over the space of the movie, the last few being only a flash of irritation in my general direction. This was an unexpected, but welcome side effect of choosing a suspense movie for my devious plot.

Finally, at the end, when Hank is released by one of his captors, I casually commented, "I love how Hitchcock is able to make good guys look bad and bad guys look good. You have to look deeper to decide which is which." Bella squinted at me, momentarily. She was sure I was up to something by now, but would wait to question me until we were alone.

The comment was to remind Charlie I might not be as bad as I might seem, and to be totally honest with myself, to remind him Jacob might not really be all that great.

Charlie grunted at my comment. Hitchcock was brilliant alright. You can't judge a book by it's cover.

Close enough.

The movie ended. "They just don't make movies like they used to." Charlie said, stretching his legs.

"No sir, they sure don't" I agreed. Bella sat up, looked at us and shook her head. I stood up, and Bella stood with me. "Well, I promised Esme I'd be home early. She's rearranging some of the furniture and I'm the only one she trusts with the piano."

Bella walked with me to the front door. I kissed her cheek, just touching the corner of her mouth, since Charlie was watching. "Goodnight, Bella" I said for Charlie's benefit.

"Goodnight, Edward" she replied. I could tell from the look in her eyes, we would be discussing my bizarre behavior later.

"Good night, Chief Swan," I called to Charlie.

"Bye, Edward," Charlie said. Two words again. I decided that meant my movie night was a pretty good idea. As I walked out the door, I heard Charlie thinking, Maybe that boy isn't such a bad kid after all. Not that he and Bella should be getting married. They're still way too young. . . . .

Scratch that, it wasn't a good idea, it was brilliant.


AN- So, I think I might have to change the summary for this story. It's not just about Bella and Edward. We're delving into the relationships they have with just about every one. Who knew I had it in me? I thought this was going to be all steamy steamy! lol I guess that what happens when you start writing. For those of you who started this story looking for the steamy, don't worry. Next chapter is Edward explaining to Bella what he was up to. Then, wham, we'll get another practice session. Woo-hoo!